Lebanon is facing both a financial and political crisis as political leaders have failed to form a government to implement reforms after the devastating explosion in Beirut’s port last year.
The World Bank has described the current financial situation in Lebanon as among the “most severe crisis episodes globally since the mid-19th century.”
It estimates that Lebanon’s real GDP contracted by more than 20% in 2020, with surging inflation, high unemployment, and more than half of the population below the national poverty line.
Lebanon’s currency plummeted in 2021. By June, the Lebanese pound had lost 90% of its value since October 2019.
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Throughout the crisis, Cardinal Rai has repeatedly urged the country’s political leaders to “overcome the logic of partisan interests” and form a government to rescue the country.
The cardinal offered a Mass to mark the one year anniversary of the Beirut bombing Aug. 4. The devastating blast killed 207 people and wounded an estimated 6,500.
“Many wanted this anniversary of the Beirut port explosion to be a day of anger, demonstrations and condemnations. But I assure everyone that the divine words that we have heard are the most effective, surest, and truly comforting for wounded hearts. God’s voice calls out to the conscience of every person responsible for this explosion,” Rai said in his homily.
“God’s voice calls out … just as with Cain … and he says: ‘What have you done? Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground.’”
Courtney Mares is a Rome Correspondent for Catholic News Agency. A graduate of Harvard University, she has reported from news bureaus on three continents and was awarded the Gardner Fellowship for her work with North Korean refugees.